48-ward Avadi municipality elevated, becomes Tamil Nadu’s 13th Corporation

In an extraordinary ordinance, TN Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Tuesday passed the orders setting up the municipal council for Avadi, which attracts a floating population of over eight lakh.

With 48 wards, Avadi serves as a gateway to Chennai and the upgradation to a municipal corporation as been a long pending demand of the residents. “Considering the increase in population, growth in annual income and the level of civic services to be provided towards fulfilment of the basic needs of the growing population of Avadi Special Grade Municipality and for improving the standard of living of the people, the government has decided to upgrade it to a municipal corporation,” said State Law Department Secretary SS Poovaligam in the explanatory gazette notification attached along with the Governor’s ordinance.

As per the ordinance, the present special officer of Avadi municipality will continue to be the special officer of the Avadi Corporation. The Corporation will get a Mayor, a Council, a standing committee, a wards’ committee and a Commissioner, the communication read. All the tax payments, arrears, properties and civic jurisdiction handled by the Avadi municipality will now be vested with the Avadi corporation, the notification explained. Local MLA and State Minister for Tamil culture Mafoi Pandiarajan thanked Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami for the ordinance and termed the announcement as a long pending demand of local residents. “Former CM J Jayalalithaa announced three major welfare schemes for the region, including a biopark, tech park along with the upgradation of Avadi municipality into a corporation. All have been fulfilled,” the Minister said. Though residents are happy about the upgradation of Avadi into a city but worry about a possible increase in property tax and water charges sighting upgradation. “When there is no piped supply of water and drainage connection, what is the need for an elected council to address civic issues,” rued N Udayakumar, a local resident.